Maersk Tankers gets new fuel efficient VLCC

Maersk Sara the first of four new fuel efficient VLCCs, is equipped with what is the most advanced Waste Heat Recovery System for any VLCC delivered to date. It will be followed by three sister vessels, all from STX in Korea, Maritimedanmark.dk reports.


“With VLCCs like these we are making further efforts to minimise our impact to the environment” says Head of Crude, Claus Gronborg.


“Already we are saving fuel and reducing CO2 by slow steaming. With today’s bunker prices it makes sense not only for the environment, but certainly also from a financial perspective”.


Waste Heat Recovery systems utilise the waste heat in the engine’s exhaust gas to produce electricity via a steam turbine. In the case of Maersk Sara no diesel generators are used at all when in open sea, even when slow steaming at 13 knots with 50-65% Main Engine load.


Other energy saving initiatives include natural air intake to Main Engine eliminating electric driven fans, integral low-sulphur fuel operation in Emission Control Areas and 3-stage steam turbines for cargo pumps saving 15 % energy compared to 2-stage turbines.


The four fuel efficient VLCCS will also be equipped with Nadiro drop-in balls for life boats, the system that has won several prizes including the Seatrade Safety at Sea award 2011 and the Lloyd’s List Safety at Sea Award 2010 (in conjunction with Maersk Tankers).


The remaining three VLCCs will be delivered over the next 12 months. With the addition of the last of the four supertankers Maersk Tankers VLCC fleet will have reached 20 vessels by 2013.
(Source:http://en.portnews.ru)